Rural Economic Development Strategies: A comparative jurisdictional review of strategies, policies and programs for rural economic development
Brooke Hayes, Dr. Tamara Krawchenko
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report examines rural economic development approaches in six jurisdictions and identifies leading practices. The jurisdictions are: Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Sweden and Scotland. Each of these places are either currently responding to, or have recently responded to, a change in its economic and/or demographic context. It is found that legislation provides the strongest framework for action, followed by a clear common strategic framework that is built on an understanding of regional needs, and connected cross-sectoral strategies that are oriented towards the strengths and opportunities of specific regions. It is notable that almost all strategies reviewed in Canada and internationally neglect the needs of Indigenous Peoples, and almost all regions struggle with implementation and monitoring, unless it is legislated and results in formal resource reallocation and governance structures.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Brooke Hayes is a transdisciplinary researcher and PhD student in the School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, with twenty years of experience in the BC public service including as Executive Director with the Ministry of Agriculture, where she led teams tackling climate change, marketing, land use planning, innovation, and soil, air and water quality programs, among others. Brooke works at the intersection of soil science, farmer health and climate adaptation in communities and ecosystems.
Dr. Tamara Krawchenko is an Associate Professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Victoria, Associate Director of UVic’s Institute for Integrated Energy Systems, a Strategic Research Area Lead for the Accelerating Community Energy Transformation Initiative, a core team member of the Coastal Climate Solutions Leaders program and Chair of the Local Governance Hub. She is an expert in comparative public policy, regional development and sustainability transitions. Her scholarship examines how public policies and institutions of governance shape lived realities and outcomes in diverse places.